Doron Perkins scored 24 points to lead Santa Clara to a 74-65 win over cold-shooting Duquesne in the season-opener for both teams at the NABC Classic in Albuquerque.

The Broncos, who never trailed, jumped out to a 13-2 lead and built the advantage to as many as 17 as Duquesne misfired on 19 of its first 24 shots. Jack Higgins, who scored 12 of his team-high 15 points in the first half - including 10 in the final 6:42, hit a jumper from the wing to cut the Santa Clara lead to 40-27 at the half.

Duquesne pulled to within 45-40 on a Martin Osimani drive at the 12:48 mark, but Santa Clara answered with a 7-0 run to build the lead back to 12.

The Dukes again cut the lead to five, this time on a pair of Kieron Achara free throws with 1:06 to go, but Santa Clara wouldn't fold as guard Kyle Bailey hit four free throws in the final minute for the final nine-point margin.

Duquesne outscored Santa Clara 38-34 in the second half, but it was not enough to make up for the slow start. Bryant McAllister scored all 12 of his points in the second half for the Dukes. Kieron Achara scored 11 and junior college transfer Keith Gayden added 10 points and seven rebounds in his first appearance as a Duke. Martin Osimani, who was playing with a mask to protect a broken nose, came off the bench to score all nine of his points in the second half. He led the Dukes with three assists. Jon Pawlak led Duquesne with eight boards.

Tristan Parham was the only other Santa Clara player in double figures with 10 points to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Dukes, who hit just 4-of-15 3-point attempts, shot 33.8 percent for the game. Santa Clara, which shot 45.7 percent in the first half, finished the game at 40.9 percent. Santa Clara, which outscored Duquesne 38-26 in the paint, also enjoyed an 18-9 edge in points off turnovers. DU committed five of its 15 turnovers in the first five minutes of the game to help Santa Clara to its early lead.